Black River Quail Forever banquet set for Sept. 14

The Black River chapter of Quail Forever will host its second annual banquet Sept. 14 at the Holiday Inn ballroom in Poplar Bluff.

“We’re expecting between 150 and 170 people this year,” said chapter president John Blaich.

The doors to the event will open at 5 p.m. for a social hour full of games, raffles, a silent auction and more.

Plenty of framed prints and other home decor, hunting gear, Quail Forever branded merchandise and other items will be available, according to Blaich.

A steak dinner, prepared by Karon Campbell’s Tasteful Creations, will be served at 6:30, followed by a live auction conducted by Felix Baker at 7.

“We’ll have more prints and things like that, and we’ll also have a guided hunt for pheasants, quail and chukars at Ozark Wings in West Plains,” Blaich said of the auction.

With a focus on habitat restoration, a biologist will offer a presentation during the banquet, and he will be available to answer questions from patrons.

Several guns will be given away during the event, Blaich said, including a CZ youth model over/under shotgun and a Winchester SX4 shotgun.

Tickets to the banquet cost $60 for a single or $80 for a couple and include a Quail Forever membership. They must be purchased in advance by visiting Dental Arts in Poplar Bluff or calling Blaich at 573-785-0111.

Sponsorships also are available at various levels from $300 up to $1,500, with special benefits for each level.

All money raised at the banquet, Blaich said, stays local, with a focus on habitat restoration, support for several high school trap teams and the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Explorer Post for potential trooper candidates.

The chapter just launched an expansive, 600-acre habitat project near Wappapello Lake and works with several landowners to improve their property.

In 2018, its inaugural year, Black River Quail Forever contributed more than $11,000 back into the local community.

“Our primary goal is to spread the word on habitat,” Blaich said, “and you’ll see a lot of it this year.”